DR. JAMES N. B. DODSON

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 703:

Dr. J. N. B. Dodson

(Nevada).

   Dr. James N. B. Dodson, for many years influentially and prominently associated the professional and commercial interests of Vernon county, and at this time a sincerely respected and honored resident of Nevada, deserves more than a passing notice in any history of the county. Originally from Jackson county, Alabama, he was born June 20, 1813, the son of James and Lucy (Davis) Dodson, the latter of whom was a native of Jefferson county, Tenn.; the former was a Virginian by birth and a prominent member of the medical profession.

   Young James was the second son and fourth child of a family of 10 children. Leaving Alabama at an early age he went to East Tennessee to reside with his grandfather, Benjamin Davis, who was a Revolutionary soldier, enlisting at the age of 14 under Gen. Marion, and one of the most noted horse fanciers and breeders of Alabama. He remained with his grandfather several years attending school, and in 1830 came to Missouri with his father, first stopping in Boone county, where their home was made one year. His father and family were soon en route for Springfield, Missouri, but on the way a stop was made in Crawford county, Missouri, where the father sickened and died in 1832. Circumstances interfering somewhat with their intentions, the family decided to remain in that county, and there young Dodson embarked upon the practice of medicine, the study of which he had previously commenced and pursued with energy. After this he went to Waynesville, Pulaski county (it having been formed out of Crawford county), where in 1837 he abandoned his professional practice and engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with Col. Ed. Swink, until 1840, when Camden county being established, he was appointed by Judge Foster P. Wright, clerk of the circuit court, and also received the appointment from the county court as its clerk, serving at the same time as ex-officio recorder, to which positions he was soon after elected. His official positions he resigned on account of having entered again into mercantile pursuits, the last year of his business at Linn Creek, in company with Col. S. K. Roberts, being one of astonishing proportions, as their sales amounted to $450,000.

   In 1854 Dr. Dodson was chosen by the people of his county as their representative in the State Legislature, and served out his full term of two years acceptably to his constituents, though in the mean time he had removed to Vernon county and opened up a large farm near Walker, on one corner of which, mainly through his influence a school house was erected, costing $3,000, which was something quite grand in its day. While representing Camden county he drew and procured the passage of the bill establishing Vernon county, and having previously settled therein was elected in 1856 her representative, and in 1857 was appointed by President Buchanan Registrar of Lands in the Warsaw district. Six months latter [sic] he resigned this position, and it is worthy of remark at this place that the Doctor has never occupied an office from which he did not resign or offer to before the expiration of his term of service, and he has filled by election or appointment at different times near twenty-five terms. As judge of the county court of Vernon county he married a nephew of Gen. Robt. E. Lee to a daughter of Collin Willson.

   From 1860 to 1865 he was a non-resident of the county, having removed to Pike County, Mo., but after the war closed he returned here and embarked once more in the mercantile business at Nevada, conducting a lucrative and respectable business until 1870, when he retired from the arduous duties of business life. In 1869 he was interested in an important railroad enterprise (the Laclede and Ft. Scott R. R.) and the first year was made president, but afterwards was relieved of the duties of this position; however, two years later he was again called to the aid of those whose experiences had proven their mistake in not continuing him previously at their head, and for eight years he labored earnestly but under many difficulties to place the road in the way of early completion, in which he substantially succeeded for the second time, but the building of the road was never accomplished. The failure, however, of this enterprise was through no fault of his, but from reasons too numerous and lengthy to recite in this connection.

   To attempt a detailed account of the numerous enterprises with which the Doctor has been actively connected, or review even passingly his official and public life, or to speak at length of his characteristics and many admirable and intellectual, moral and social traits, would be impossible in the space allotted for this sketch. In every walk of life his career has been above criticism or reproach; a man of unbending honor, incorruptible honesty, broad but practical charity, noble and generous in his feelings, dignified in his manhood, worthy as a citizen, true and faithful as a friend, he has merited and receives the honor and respect  of all who know him, and now as the shadows of old age begin to fall about him, surrounded by comforts and friends well deserved, he can look back upon the past without regret, at the present with pleasure, and to the future without fear. He owns some 900 acres of land in the county, and in a pecuniary point of view is reasonably well fixed.

   Dr. Dodson has been thrice married; first, in 1843, to Louisa Harrison, of Phelps county, Mo., who died in 1846, leaving, one child, Eliza, who died in 1860. In 1846 he married Mrs. Marcia Swink, née Meade, widow of Col. Ed. Swink. She was born near Huntsville, Ala., and died in Louisiana, Mo., 1861, leaving three children by her first marriage: George Swink, now of Dallas, Texas; Sallie, who married Col. John Q. Burbridge, one of the first to enlist in the Confederate service under Gen. Price; and Lewellyn. In 1862 the Doctor was united in marriage with Mrs. Margaret Johnson (Beers), widow of Capt. J. H. Johnson, of Louisiana, Mo. She died in August, 1884, leaving four children by her first marriage: Irene, now Mrs. Monroe Cunningham, of Portland, Ore.; Anna, wife of Kimbrough Winston, of Vernon county; Henry H. Johnson, of Louisiana, Mo., and James B., an attorney at Nevada.

[Transcribed by Becky Siple]

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